Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: Cult outfit The General Store laid down four songs in the year of 1967. They release two of them, but the other two have remained under wraps ever since. Now, more than half a century later, they are getting pressed up to vinyl for the first time thanks to Perfect Toy who have decided to cut just 300 copies. The band themselves have given full blessing for this one and as soon as the needle drops you're taken into a swirling, high-octane world of raw 60s rock heavy funk. It is very much a case of Tower of Power meets Funkadelic with a lo-fi twist.

Review: Straop yourself in and prepare for a cosmic trip on psyched out cosmic polyrhythms with kosmische overtones at the hands of newcomer Glass Beams. This debut on Research Record is a stunning one from the enigmatic producer but will have you googling t find out as much as you can while you get lost in the sliding bass and transcendent synthwork. It's tinged with a certain retro charm and 70s prog magic but also feels decidedly new and fresh. Masterful.

Review: Mahal by Glass Beams melds a diverse array of influences into a unique and enchanting soundscape. The Melbourne-based trio, shrouded in mystery with their mask-wearing anonymity, lets their music speak volumes. Built around founding member Ranjan Silva, their sound draws from the rich heritage of Ravi Shankar, Bollywood, Electric Light Orchestra, and traditional blues.Inspired by repeated viewings of 'The Concert For George', Silva's vision for Glass Beams seems to echo the fusion George Harrison envisioned when introducing classical Indian music to Western pop. The EP opens with 'Horizon,' setting a serene tone before leading into the title track 'Mahal,' an instrumental piece that envelops the listener in its mystical charm. 'Orb' follows with a riveting bass riff, while 'Snake Oil' delves deeper into Indian classical territory, showcasing evocative vocals. The EP concludes with 'Black Sand,' a dramatic and beautiful track featuring interwoven vocals and guitar. As their second EP, following Mirage, Mahal solidifies Glass Beams' distinct place in music, defying categorisation and quietly demanding attention with its almost otherworldly quality.

Review: Cocteau Twins' musical mastermind Robin Guthrie has produced some terrific solo records over the course of his career, frequently delivering material that joins the dots between ambient, ethereal soundscapes, shoegaze and the more immersive end of the soundtrack spectrum. 'Astoria' is the latest volume in the Scottish multi-instrumentalist and producer's ongoing EP series (its predecessor, 'Mountain', dropped in September). It's another typically gorgeous and enveloping affair in which effects-laden guitar motifs, gaseous ambient chords, gentle rhythms, ghostly aural textures and slowly shifting melodies combine to create instrumental sound worlds of rare beauty (if not sonic clarity - Guthrie's use of reverb and delay is liberal, which adds to its atmospheric nature but adds extra layers of attractively wide-eyed haziness).

Review: The 7" single Tocando Macizas by Vivi Hernandez Y Su Conjunto is a standout Latin funk gem from 1971. Known for its raw, heavy grooves, this track epitomises the best of Mexican funk, delivering an irresistible energy. Paired with Grupo Caverna's Caverna on the B-side, both tracks pack an intense rhythmic punch, combining sharp instrumentation with infectious beats. This release has gained legendary status among collectors and DJs for its rarity and quality, marking it as essential for Latin funk aficionados.

Review: Genesis's And Then There Were Three is a pivotal album in the band's history, marking their transition to a trio following Steve Hackett's departure. Released in 1978, the album showcased a blend of progressive rock roots with shorter, more concise songs, reflecting a response to the changing music scene and indicating the future path on which the band would travel. Lead single 'Follow You Follow Me' became a chart-topping success, propelling the album to platinum status in the US and the LP's sound, despite being dominated by Tony Banks' keyboards and Mike Rutherford's guitar work, signalled a departure from their earlier style but retained the band's signature sound. Critics praised the album's strong, confident compositions, noting tracks like 'Ballad of Big' and 'Down and Out' and despite initial scepticism about their ability to continue as a trio, Genesis proved their resilience and their musical depth remains clear on this 2024 reissue.

Review: Rite Here Rite Now, directed by GHOST's Tobias Forge and Alex Ross Perry, is an ambitious blend of live concert footage and narrative storytelling, picking up the threads of the band's Chapters series. This feature-length film captures GHOST's electrifying performances from their sold-out shows at Los Angeles's Kia Forum, coupled with a fictional narrative that delves deep into the band's mythos. The film promises a unique cinematic experience that melds the raw energy of live music with engaging plot elements, designed to both entertain and engage GHOST's fans into a deeper understanding of the band's artistic vision. This soundtrack to the film sets a new standard in the rock cinema genre, aiming to engage not just GHOST's dedicated followers but also lovers of innovative film-making and rock spectacle.

Review: French-Canadians Margaux Sauve and Louis-Etienne Santais are Ghostly Kisses the internationally acclaimed pop pairing that has got a hardcore following of fans all over the globe. They impressed with their debut album Heaven not that long ago and now return with Darkroom, which focuses on the feelings we all had during the pandemic of loneliness. Both artists set up in separate rooms during the writing process and sent snippets to each other to only finalise when they eventually met up which they think ensured they brought "more depth" to their process.

Review: Quebec City-based singer/songwriter Margaux Suave and collaborator/producer Louis-Etienne Santais earned plenty of praise for their first album as Ghostly Kisses, 2022's Heaven, Wait. It framed the project as a new iteration of dream-pop, with the pair drawing inspiration from melancholic synth-pop, downtempo, hazy indie-pop and lo-fi soul. Sophomore set Darkroom continues in this vein while subtly expanding the pair's sonic horizons. Throughout, they shuffle attractively between string-laden trip-hop ('There Is No More Space'), dreamy two-step pop ('Golden Eyes'), slow-motion, Balearic-tinged synth-pop ('Lonesome Hero'), twinkling deep house-pop ('Calm Down') and orchestrated ambient pop ('Silver Screen').

Review: Beth Gibbons has never saturated the market with her distinctive approach to singing and songwriting, choosing to leave the power of her contributions to Portishead and solo hanging in the air. That makes Lives Outgrown a truly exciting proposition, some 20 years after her last solo outing and simultaneously unique but naturally leading on from the magical Out of Season. The sonic content is layered differently, less folky and more like art rock embellished with electronics, but the melancholic, wistful melodic makeup feels absolutely rooted in Gibbon's approach throughout the years. This is the CD edition of a very welcome return from a truly unique treasure in British alternative music.

Review: Scott Gilmore's tracks are deceptively pared back. Putting an Arp Odyssey, Yamaha CS-01, Korg DW-8000, Hohner Pianet T, Roland TR 606, Roland SH 101, bamboo alto saxophone, clarinet, electric guitar and electric bass to very good use on this nine track Balearic-downtempo stunner, the tunes are easy to groove with yet subtly complex. They feel simple, but are incredibly detailed. Veering between a kind of synth-y smooth jazz, lounge, lofi electronica and sunset instrumental, Volume 01 is the proof after the promise of Gilmore's 2019 debut, Two Roomed Motel. Second album in and it's quite clear how talented the guy is. We just wish there was more information available for us to get to know him better with.

Review: Shinbangumi is the third LP from multi-instrumentalist Lew, marks a significant evolution for the Southern California artist Ginger Root. Seamlessly blending 70s and 80s influences like Japanese City Pop, Philly Soul, and French Pop, Lew's sound is a sophisticated mix of synth-pop, alt-disco, boogie, and soul. Shinbangumi stands out not only for its musical strength but also for its conceptual narrative, continuing from the 2022 EP Nisemono. Tracks like 'No Problems' and 'Better Than Monday' exhibit Lew's knack for combining catchy melodies with clever production. 'There Was A Time' and 'All Night' highlight his ability to craft both introspective and dance-worthy tunes. 'Only You' delves into true City Pop, while 'Giddy Up' channels the quirky energy of The B-52s and Devo. 'Kaze,' recorded in Tokyo, adds a unique texture inspired by Yellow Magic Orchestra's Harry Hosono. Lew's dedication to his craft and his fans is more than evident here.

Review: Brooklyn-born, New Orleans-based multi-instrumentalist Gitkin delivers a rich fusion of global sounds on Golden Age, his latest ten-track album. Known for his guitar-driven style, Gitkin blends the rhythms of cumbia, North African, and Middle Eastern music, creating a sonic journey that feels both expansive and deeply rooted. As the frontman of The Pimps of Joytime, a staple in the festival circuit, his influence on the soul-funk scene is undeniable. From Bonnaroo to Electric Forest, Gitkin has built a reputation for electrifying live performances. Beyond his own projects, he's produced for artists like Corey Henry, Bernard Purdie and Cedric Burnside, whose Benton County Relic earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album. With Golden Age, Gitkin further explores the intersections of global music traditions, weaving his soulful guitar into a captivating tapestry that speaks to his wide-ranging influences.

Review: Life has been a bit of a slow burner for Oxford-born Glass Animals. The four-piece first began to garner 'real' attention in the run up to their 2014 debut album, Saba, with the single 'Gooey' doing them no disservice in the popularity stakes. Follow up How To Be A Human Being found itself on the Mercury Music Prize shortlist, but it was only really when LP three then hit number two in the UK albums chart and seven in the Billboard 200 that we can say they really reached the heights of fame, almost a decade into their story. That was then, though, and this is now. Four years, and one pandemic later, Glass Animals drop I Love You So F***ing Much, a record that fully commits to mainstream pop discourse, moving the outfit away from their psyche and electronic indie roots. The formula certainly suits, with the record a rich and largely joyful trip into a world of arena tours and anthems.

Review: Goat returns with their latest self-titled album, the third in as many years, to ecstatic fans of the band. This ever-enigmatic collective continues to push boundaries, delivering a record that blends rhythmically intense rituals with an unmistakable energy that both invigorates dancefloors and stimulates the mind. The album kicks off with 'One More Death' and 'Goatbrain,' two tracks that capture Goat's hedonistic spirit through sharp funk grooves and guitars drenched in fuzz and wah. These tracks set the tone for an album that never shies away from exploration. The closing track, 'Ouroborus,' inspired by the ancient symbol of cyclical rebirth, showcases the band's love for hip hop, combining infectious chants with relentless breakbeats reminiscent of Lalo Schifrin's work. This finale brings the journey full circle, echoing the idea of endless renewal. Goat's new album continues to affirm their dedication to transcendence and transformation, offering listeners a potent escape into a world where the only constant is change.

Review: Joe Goddard's superb album Harmonics receives the deluxe treatment here on lovely double pink vinyl. Expanding upon the original release, this edition delves deeper into Goddard's musical universe. From infectious grooves to ethereal melodies, each track showcases his prowess as a producer and musician. The deluxe edition adds layers of complexity and richness, providing listeners with an even more immersive experience so whether you're drawn to the pulsating beats or the intricate harmonies, Harmonics in its deluxe form promises to please.

Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor are back for their newest and most eagerly awaited album, No Title As Of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead. This upcoming record, their first since 2021's G_d's Pee At State's End!, comprises six tracks that promise to uphold the band's renowned style of merging ambient textures with explosive crescendos. The album's title, steeped in the bleak realities of a world fraught with turmoil and disintegration, is echoed in the music itself. The compositions integrate field recordings, sparse instrumentation, and solemn hymns, embodying their anti-war and anti-capitalist ethos. Known for their dramatic contrasts and expansive, multi-part pieces, Godspeed You! Black Emperor continue to blend influences from post-punk, progressive rock, and avant-garde. No Title As Of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead promises to deliver a compelling and introspective listening experience, staying true to the band's politically charged and dystopian themes.

Review: After over a decade away from making music, Greek-born musician and composer Giannis Gogos is back. It was the turmoil of the pandemic that allowed him to reconnect with making music after years working in photography and now he's combining analogue and digital sound with intricate melodies and plenty of keyboards, glockenspiel, kalimba and guitars. This latest album is enhanced by oodles of delay and reverb effects and makes for an ethereal journey inspired by Henry Corbin's Man of Light in Iranian Sufism. It explores light as a symbol of divine presence through serene, introspective soundscapes.

Review: Lying is rather like borrowing money from an alternate reality. The liars don't exist in it and yet they bank on its invented energy. American singer-songwriter and former Czars frontman John Grant knows this all too well, not least the degree to which the lie is indelibly riven across every facet of modern society; his latest album takes its title after the concept and, though its message is a bitter pill, it's also packed with humour and bombast, stylistically straddling everything from electro-pop to alt-indie in a whirlwind of named (and in the lattermost case, featured) influences from the Art Of Noise to Laurie Anderson to Vangelis to (the album's producer) Ivor Guest. A politically sprawling project spanning many contemporary gripes, The Art Of The Lie is an extreme effort at sublimating the frustration of the now.

Review: After three groundbreaking albums with black midi, including 2023's Hellfire, Geordie Greep has carved out time to release his debut solo project, The New Sound. This album showcases an eclectic and vibrant approach to alternative pop, granting Greep the freedom to pursue creative impulses without restraint. He reflects on this liberation, stating that without a band to answer to, he could fully explore his artistic vision. The recording process involved over thirty session musicians across Sao Paulo and London, blending diverse influences. Greep notes the spontaneity of working with local talent in Brazil, where tracks were recorded in a matter of days. Musically, The New Sound delves into themes of urban life and human experiences, juxtaposing light-hearted melodies with darker narratives. Songs like 'Holy Holy' merge indie pop with lush Latin arrangements, while 'Motorbike' features bassist Seth 'Shank' Evans in a poignant lament. Greep's ambition is evident throughout the eleven tracks, aiming to engage listeners with intricate lyrics and unexpected turns. He hints at future live performances, aiming to capture the album's dynamic spirit in various settings.

Review: Guided By Voices are nothing if not prolific songwriters. This is the band's 41st album and 18th in 10 years. It's refreshing to see this maverick group defy the norms set by the record industry in terms of staggering releases to benefit sales and just go for it. Band leader Robert Pollard is the sole constant member having had many line-up changes over the years, but he has steadied the ship somewhat as the current serving musicians are the longest running in the band's history. They've now made 17 albums since 2017. Where this album differs is it offers more sonic diversity whilst maintaining their unmistakable anthemic character. "I wanted to create, hopefully, an experience, kind of a wild ride, where the listener would want to hear it multiple times in order to grasp all the sections and fields of sound to discover something new with each listen," says Pollard. "I trimmed down the songs so that there wasn't a lot of repetition, so you get a lot of sections that happen only once or twice." A punk sentiment - again disregarding norms - where they're sounding all the more invigorated for it.

Review: Originally released in 2005, and considered to be the second solo full-length from nine-fingered metal guitar pioneer Tony Iommi, Fused celebrates its 20th anniversary just a tad early with these revitalised remasters pressed to wax for the first time ever. Written in collaboration with vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (former Black Sabbath frontman during the mid-80s who would assume vocal duties on 1986's Seventh Star; released under the band moniker but long perceived as Iommi's first solitary creative endeavour), and legendary session drummer Kenny Aronoff (The Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Seger, Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Bon Jovi etc), this limited translucent cobalt blue vinyl 2xLP pressing comes complete with three sporadically dispersed bonus cuts finally locked down onto own complete home.

Review: A remastering and reissue of the Jack Frost recordings, a collaboration between two acclaimed Australian songwriters: Grand McLennan from The Go-Betweens and Steve Kilbey, the lead singer and bassist in The Church. The Church are well-known for their hit 'Under The Milky Way', which made the Donnie Darko soundtrack. Included in this set is their two studio albums: The Snow Job (1995) has never been on vinyl before and the self-titled debut (1991) has been out of print for more than 20 years. There's also bonus material tucked in. This release comes as The Go-Betweens have been enjoying a renaissance recently, thanks to a successful reissue campaign, and The Church have been touring. Despite this being a side project, there's no sense it's an afterthought as the pair clearly thrived in each other's company and wrote melodic, wistful and affecting songs of the highest order. Noel Gallagher would likely have been proud to write the reverb-y love song 'Thought I Was Over You' and 'Every Hour God Sends' is up there with Echo & The Bunnymen's best stuff. Meanwhile, 'Ramble' has a stark arpeggio-laden beauty to it, building from its sparse beginning into something more textured and darkly atmospheric. There's an embarrassment of riches to delve into here and it cements the pair's reputation for being among Australia's greatest ever songwriters.